Tag Archives: Service

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist

Free Audiobooks for Young Readers!

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Some rights reserved by Bigbadvoo
Some rights reserved by Bigbadvoo

Has your library participated in Sync?

Between May 30th  – August 21st  Sync will be giving away two free audiobook downloads, each week, for listeners 13 years of age or older.  This service began in 2010 to promote literacy among young adults.   As an alternative to listening to music, these downloads are MP3 formats that operate through Over Drive’s Media Console and are compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.  Once the title is downloaded, it can be listened to at any time. However, they will only be made available, for download, for only 7 days.

How Do I Sign-up? Go to the right column and sign-up to get notifications of when the audiobook downloads are available by text message, email newsletter, or by simply following the SYNC blog.  Please note that signing up for these alerts will not send you the titles.  The alerts will only tell you when and where the title is available to download. Click here for a schedule.

Tip:  If you would like to promote this free service in your library, the Sync site offers a toolkit for Librarians & Educators with a host of resources. 

Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Play Boxes Deconstructed!

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Some rights reserved by Mags20_eb
Some rights reserved by Mags20_eb

Recently the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), in keeping with their target audience (children), blogged about play-spaces in libraries. But with limited space and the possibility of heavy usage, some libraries may need to look for another alternative. The solution, mini play boxes.  A “play box” is a themed collection of play objects and various manipulatives that are chosen specifically to highlight and enhance early learning. Learn more at ALSC.

According to Deborah J. Leong, PhD and Elena Bodrova, PhD there is a growing body of research that shows a link between play and the development of cognitive and social skills, enhanced social development, improved literacy skills and increases in other areas of academic learning.